AIC's Now and Then, Here and There, a harrowing 1999 anime, has landed on Hulu with both English dub and subtitle options. The series plunges protagonist Shuu into a dystopian desert world after attempting to befriend a mysterious girl named Lala-Ru, only to find himself caught in a brutal war fought by child soldiers and ruled by a tyrannical water baron.
Despite its relatively modest MAL score of 7.58, the series is remembered for its mature themes and unflinching portrayal of war, survival, and trauma, particularly through its focus on a primarily child cast. It stands as a stark departure from the more lighthearted isekai narratives that would become popular later.
With 13 completed episodes, Now and Then, Here and There offers a contained, albeit grim, narrative experience. Its arrival on Hulu makes this classic, often overlooked, entry in mature-themed anime accessible to a new audience.
